(410) 774-6170
Sharmaine McAdoo, CEO
D'warren Lambirth, Coordinator of Mentoring
Debbie Y. Carter, Director of Mentoring
2021 Annual Mentor Celebration
Ceremony
2021 Honorees
national meNtor month
Johnetta Alston Lake has a strong musical background that began in church. It is that foundation that allowed her to develop and embrace her own style. A style influenced by many greats, who paved the way for her. A style honed on stage in musicals, singing groups, her one-woman cabaret act, background vocalist, session work, and as a singer/songwriter. Music is in her DNA, growing up surrounded by immediate family, aunts, uncles, and cousins of singers and musicians. Johnetta was a member of the Broadway Gospel Choir, where her powerful God-given voice didn’t go unnoticed.
Johnetta has worked with such industry icons as, Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, Galt MacDermot, Eric Krebs, Jason Robert Brown, Ken Lundie, and many, others. As an actress and singer, Johnetta was also part of the Broadway Workshops for Abyssinia, Parade, and The Civil War! She’s the Host & Executive Producer of her Talk Show, 2nd Chance with Johnetta Lake, an actress, author, director, producer, playwright, and independent filmmaker! She’s most excited about the "highly-anticipated" launch of her own digital television network, Inspiration Television Network-ITN. Inspiration Television Network will be aired on Amazon Prime, Roku, and several other media outlets!
Johnetta is also a beauty expert! Having had an awesome career as a makeup artist, hairstylist, image consultant, salon owner, and cosmetics executive. Affectionately known as Jett, she's written many beauty and image articles for several publications and is the author of the must-have book, "The Road to YOU...The Ultimate Guide to Staging Your Own Transformation." https://www.theroadtou.com In addition, "Jett" is a Master Cosmetologist and Skin Care Specialist. She's taught many continuing education classes, has been a faculty member at New York's Barbizon School of Modeling, and Atlanta's John Robert Powers where she wrote their Vocal/Music Program. Her production and singing teams have won international competitions held in New York and Los Angeles. Johnetta has worked with many of the most prestigious cosmetic companies and been the buyer for several top salons. She has even worked as a Publicist and brings this wealth of experience and a little show business to everything she does!
Johnetta conducts workshops and seminars across the country, now virtual, and is available to speak at company training events, churches, retreats, and women's groups. As a Presentation/Transformation Coach, her seminar, "How You Present Yourself to The World, Is How the World Treats You," now virtual, Johnetta shows clients how to transform and reinvent themselves while embracing who they are, right where they are. Her book signings, also virtual now, are one of a kind and not to be missed!! She knows that nothing happens until its appointed time and that the best is yet to come. Stay tuned because you don't want to miss a moment!
Minister D’Warren Lambirth is a native of Baltimore, Maryland specifically, the Westside of Baltimore City in the Edmondson Village community. Growing up in the streets of Baltimore had its challenges but they all prepared him for a life in ministry. Minister D’Warren was called to the ministry in 2013, where he served under the tutelage of the late, great Bishop Kevin A. Rogers. Entering ministry prompted him to pursue an education at Liberty University and move on to continue his studies at Lancaster Bible College where he is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Ministry Leadership and minor in Biblical Studies. He is happily married to Trevea Lambirth and they have five children and three hermit crabs. Minister D’Warren has a heart for the young people in the city of Baltimore. He has been working with young people for over 10 years in Baltimore City Public Schools in various capacities from classroom to administration. Now, he enforces and upholds the law within Baltimore City Public Schools, working with administration and students concurrently.
Recognizing and nurturing the anointing and calling upon his life, Pastor Stephen M. Smith appointed him to be the Minister over the Youth and Young Adult Department at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church where he has been a member for three years. He volunteers and supports in various Baltimore communities including the Walbrook Junction community in which his church resides.
Minister D’Warren is embarking on his next journey with Generation NOW where he serves as the Third Vice-President. He is sitting on the edge of his seat to see what the Lord has in stored for him, his ministry and his new role working with Generation NOW. Minister D’Warren Lambirth always seeks to be a vessel that God can readily use.
Born and raised by his darling Mother, the Late Mother Pearlie Lawrence, in Brooklyn, New York. From the age of 17, Bishop Frederick Lawrence involved himself in the singing field, which afforded him the opportunity to meet and sing with many prominent artists. In September 1970, Bishop married the love of his life “Denise Renee”, who has been a strong supporter in all his endeavors.
But, after much running, Bishop accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1977. As Bishop grew older and stronger in the Lord, he knew that the preaching ministry would become more and more a major part of his life. Bishop served as Assistant Pastor of Mission for Christ C.O.G.I.C., under the Pastorship of his brother-in-law, Supt. Calvin Singleton in Brooklyn, N.Y. He also assisted the Late Pastor Timothy Wright with the Jurisdictional Music Department and also the Jurisdictional Youth Department of the C.O.G.I.C
After spending a number of years under the wings of these ministries, Bishop became the Pastor of The Morning Dew Industrious Baptist Church for 3 ½ years. Then in 1994, he began his own work with the formation of Vision Soul to Win Crusade Ministries, relocating to Palm Coast, Florida. In May of 2002, Bishop was consecrated to the Office of Bishop in the Lord’s Church, by the Right Reverend David C. Wallace, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Bishop has completed extensive courses at the Community Bible Institute, N.Y. He has also received Diplomas of Honor for 2 years of study at the Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops Congress in March 2001 and March 2002 respectively; convening in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition he was awarded a Diploma for completion of the Upper Class Leadership Course of study from the same college in 2003. Bishop has also received numerous awards and honors for his humanitarian efforts by his peers.
In 2016, began the birthing of VISION COVENANT CONNECTION…comprising of Pastors that God has allowed Bishop to cover in New York, South Carolina, Georgia and here in the State of Florida; holding their First Holy Convocation in July, 2017. God met us in a mighty way!
His Favorite Scripture: Psalm 37: 1-3
Bishop always states: ” I’ve been with the greatest in the music field; also some of the great in the Gospel field, but the greatest I’ve been with is “Jesus Christ”, the Savior of my soul”.
For the last twenty-one years, Sean Hankins has been the Director/Class Instructor for the Michigan State University Adolescent Diversion Program (MSU-ADP). The aim of this program is to reduce recidivism and divert adolescents in legal jeopardy from the juvenile justice system through advocacy and mentorship. The MSU-ADP program is a community-based program operating in conjunction with Michigan State University and Ingham County Family Court Division. As the Director he supervises the strength-based intervention between the MSU student and youth. MSU-ADP has been acknowledged as one of the top juvenile justice programs in the country by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention crimesolutions.gov. Sean Hankins earned his B.A in Psychology and master’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University. Sean Hankins is a Field Instructor for the MSU Master of Social Work program. He oversees graduate student internships and helps them develop community-based programs. He has mentored over one hundred undergraduate and graduate students in the field of Social Science.
Sean Hankins has several publications involving the impacts of community-based intervention on court systems, youth involved in court systems, and the influences that experiential learning courses have on undergraduate students and universities. Sean Hankins specializes in positive youth development, healing centered engagement, trauma informed care, criminogenic factors, boys to men mental maturation, and the influences of ACE’s, and the trauma responses of adolescents. Sean Hankins has developed and facilitated several programs for the Ingham County Family Court Division and Michigan State University, The Learning Club (TLC) children exposed to domestic violence; Strengthening Teen Relations and Inspiring Valuable Experiences (STRIVE) male juvenile sex offender program; and Youth Athletics Training Academics (YATA) alternative education mentor program for court involved youth. Sean Hankins has held several presentations: Boys to Men discussing Man Box, Rape Culture, Toxic Masculinity, and Pied-Pipering; influences through audio and visual communications. Sean Hankins mission is to provide opportunities towards success. During his journey from student to director, Sean has proven his dedication to the students, youth, and staff at MSU-ADP. Sean advocates on behalf of youth educational equal opportunities and combats hidden and invisible powers. Sean Hankins mission is to provide opportunity for success.
I'm Rashonda better known as Ra. I'm a 35 year old who loves God, family, and life in general. I have a twin sister named LaShonda and an older sister named Latasha. My two wonderful parents are Carlos and Tonya. It does take a village to raise an individual and I come from a phenomenal village of supporters, The McAdoo Family. They taught me about Christ at a young age. I was born and raised in a small town, Efland North Carolina. I studied and received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina. I love to cook. I started cooking at the age of 12. I watched my parents, grandparents, and the Food Network, which is my favorite show by the way. My favorite food is anything prepared Italian style (especially Chicken Alfredo or Chicken Parmesan). Cooking is a great stress reliever. I have also started a small dessert business, serving fried cheescakes named Ouuh La Ra La's. I enjoy working with my family and sharing delicious recipes with the world. I am a Financial Educator and a licensed insurance agent in the states of North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and New York. I am always ready to assist and to educate families on the importance of income protection. Applying the knowledge that I know to help someone else. I am always willing to lend a helping hand and to show others that there are still genuine people that will love them. Oh, did I mention I love to laugh, yes I could do that all day long!
As an experienced and consummate professional, Odyssey Gray has spent the past twenty years working as a Mortician/Funeral Director. A Funeral Director oversees funeral arrangements and works with grieving families. It is not an easy job. In the beginning of his career, he spent long hours doing a lot of paperwork and answering late-night phone calls.
Prior to becoming a Mortician, he worked on the Railroad as a Lead Service Attendant. He prepared and sold meals to passengers traveling to different destinations. He would be away from home days at a time. He also dreamed of becoming a Railroad Engineer. Odyssey’s deep desire was to actually drive trains. For a variety of unforeseen reasons, this dream did not materialize.
However, during a layoff, he worked at the Funeral Home of his wife’s uncle. This experience introduced him to an entirely new career. At the age of 52, he took a buyout from the railroad and became a student at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. The school which is Mentor attended decades earlier. It is known as the Harvard of mortuary schools.
For 18 months, he commuted to New York via train on a daily basis, until he completed the program. He was older than the Dean of the school and he would show-up for class in bad weather even when the local students didn’t. Odyssey passed all of his board exams with ease and achieved his goal to become a Licensed Mortician.
For him this profession is a calling rather than a job. One day as he was leading a long procession of cars to the cemetery, he looked out of the hearse’s rear-view mirror. He had an epiphany, this was the train he was meant to lead.
Anointed, Revolutionary, Radical and Cutting Edge, are some of the words often used to describe the Bishop-Designate Charles P. Watts Jr. At an early age, it was duly noted that Bishop-Designate Charles Watts Jr. was a gifted child. Although immersed in the rich Pentecostal tradition of the church, His Parents the late Bishop Charles and Late Shepherd Mother Viola Watts continued to teach him the way of holiness.
At the tender age of ten, Dr. Watts committed his life totally to the Lord, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. During his early teens, the Lord called Pastor Watts to the Ministry. It was then that Dr. Watts became the third generation gospel preacher. Because of his sincere thirst for the Word of God he attended the following biblical institutes: Bethel Bible Institute, Jamaica, NY, the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, and the New York School of the Bible, New York, NY. In July of 2015, Dr. Watts received an Honorary Doctorate of Theology from Kingdom Bible Seminary & Institute, for his 50 plus years of serving in the Gospel Ministry.
Dr. Watts formally served as Administrator for the Pastor Timothy Wright & the Timothy Wright Concert Choir. He was also an assistant to his father the Late Bishop Charles Watts Sr. at the Zion Tabernacle Church, Inc., Brooklyn, New York, where he now serves as Senior Pastor.
Bishop-Designate Watts is the President/Founder of the CHARLES WATTS JR. MINISTRIES, a unique Ministry that has caused him to travel extensively throughout the United States, where many souls have been saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, healed, delivered and set free.
He is the proud father of two children, Charnee and Jonathan and an honored grandfather to their children. Bishop-Designate Charles Watts Jr., is local Pastor with a Global Ministry. His vision is to empower people from all walks of life through the preached Word of God. He is one that loves the Lord and is charged to Preach, so that souls will be brought into the Kingdom of Heaven in these perilous and troublesome times.
Forrest Garrett is a Senior Security Specialist at the Department of Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. He received his B.S from John Jay College, City University of New York. He served in the US Army for twenty-five years in such areas as infantry, military police, and criminal investigations. After his twenty-five-year career in the military, Forrest settled in the Baltimore area where he obtained a position as a contractor with CACI. This position enabled him to become a Government Civilian at C5ISR Center the leading research and development site for the Department of the Army.
In addition to his daily occupation, Forrest is the current Vice President of the Rho Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a Past Master of Prince Hall Lodge #38, Prince Hall Affiliated Maryland Jurisdiction. Mr. Garrett is also the CFO of the Rho Tau Lambda Foundation inc. Forrest is an enthusiastic Pro and College basketball fan. His favorite team is the New York Knicks. And he believes that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Mr. Garrett is married to his lovely wife Toya and has two sons Jordan and Trevor. He can be contacted at fgarrett357j1@gmail.com.
J. WYNDAL GORDON, ESQ. "The Warrior Lawyer!" was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Maryland where he has been a resident all of his life. Mr. Gordon attended Friendly H.S. in Fort Washington, Maryland and graduated from H.D. Woodson H.S. in Washington, D.C. in 1987. In 1991, Mr. Gordon graduated from Morgan State University, and in 1995, the University of Baltimore School of Law. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland that same year. Mr. Gordon is also licensed to practice law in the United States District Court of Maryland, the United States District Court of Washington, D.C., and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He currently has seven (7) reported cases to his credit on both the State and Federal levels.
Mr. Gordon is a respected trial attorney and solo practitioner who represents individuals and small businesses in litigation matters throughout the State of Maryland, --and D.C. federal courts. Mr. Gordon has litigated high profile cases that have received local, regional, and national attention. In April 2006, Mr. Gordon accepted an appointment as lead stand-by counsel for the alleged "D.C. Sniper", John Allen Muhammad, in the case of Maryland v. John Allen Muhammad. For the last nine years he has been penning a book of the experience entitled "Jury of Our Fears".
Mr. Gordon has been a frequent guest legal commentator/contributor for cable news networks such as TruTv (formerly Court TV), CNN, and Headline News (HLN), and has also appeared on many local, national, and cable television programs broadcast nationwide. Mr. Gordon also makes regular guest appearances on WOLB 1010 AM, and intermittent appearances on WEAA 88.9 FM, and WHFS1580AM. He is a Past-President of the Monumental City Bar Association (MCBA) which is one of the oldest minority Bar Associations in the country founded in part by Hon. Thurgood Marshall in 1935. Mr. Gordon is also the creator and former host of MCBA’s Radio Show Power of Attorney which aired on WOLB 1010AM every Tuesday 2pm during his administration.
Mr. Gordon stays grounded by participating and lending his support to various local, regional, and national non-profit organizations that advance the causes of African Americans, children, and identified vulnerable populations. He served legal counsel for the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus providing legal representation to the organization which consists of 43 Maryland State Delegates and Senators. He also sits on the Board for the Mack Lewis Boxing Foundation, and sat on the board of Bluford Drew Jemison S.T.E.M. Academy for many years. In 2014, Gordon was appointed to represent the National Bar Association with members of the U.S. Congressional House Judiciary Committee to assist and participate on a new initiative undertaken by the Department of Justice to address mass incarceration of people of color and prison overpopulation.
Mr. Gordon is a recipient of the first annual "Leadership in Law Award" (2001), Black Law Student’s Association of the University Of Baltimore School Of Law "Distinguished Advocate Award" (2007), Maryland Bar Foundation "Professional Legal Excellence Award" (2008), first annual "James Baldwin Beacon of Justice for Civil Rights Award" (2011), National Bar Association’s "Small Firm/Solo Practitioner’s Service Award" (2011), Black Music Festival Contribution and Community Service Award (2011), National Bar Association Movers and Shakers Award (2014). Mr. Gordon has also received multiple citations from U.S. and State Senators, State Delegates, and City Councilpersons for his dedication to community service. He has also received numerous other certificates, awards, and accolades from schools, churches and other organizations vested in the community.
Mr. Gordon routinely accepts invitations to speak at schools, churches, law student symposiums, Bar conferences, and community organizations. In the last couple of years he has delivered graduation commencement addresses for the 2011 graduating class of Forest Park High School, and the 2012 graduating class of Coppin State Academy High School, 2014 graduating class of Bluford Drew Jamison S.T.E.M. Academy Middle School 2014 in Baltimore City, the 2014 graduating class of Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Prince George’s County, and the 2015 graduating class of Bluford Drew Jamison S.T.E.M. Academy High School in Baltimore City.
In addition to being Past President of the Monumental City Bar Association, Mr. Gordon is also a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, National Black Lawyers Top 100, Maryland State Bar Association, Maryland Association of Justice, J. Franklin Bourne Bar Association, Salome A. Howard Bar Association, Washington Bar Association, and National Association of Black Journalist.
Janet McIntosh has been in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years. A graduate of Medgar Evers College with a BS in Teachers Education, she also holds a M.ED in Education Technology, with a concentration in Instructional Design from the American Inter Continental University Online, and is an EDD candidate at Northcentral University. Ms. McIntosh served as the Director of the E B/CR Child Development Center at Medgar Evers College of CUNY for 20 years until she retired in March of 2020. She is a PD Specialist.for the Council for professional recognition , and a former Adjunct Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY)School of Professional Studies, Children's Program Administrator Credential (CPAC ) Ms McIntosh is the CEO and Trainer of LABRIT Consultants, providing support for early childhood educators.
IJennifer Pope’s life and career has been defined by titles of prestige — mom, United States Army Commander (retired), professor and now — Doctor. In December 2016, she was awarded a doctor of nurse practitioner degree from CSU College of Health Professions (CHP) Helene Fuld School of Nursing (HFSON), becoming the first alumnae to receive all three degrees – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from the university.
Jennifer was inspired to become a nurse after seeing the care her uncle received from a visiting nurse. Additionally, she worked as a unit clerk at Mercy Medical Center. “That sealed the deal for me,” said Jennifer. What inspired her to come to Coppin was affordability and that one of her family members graduated in ’93. Jennifer recalled, “When I arrived on campus, the School of Nursing was housed in the Grace Jacobs building. We had two classrooms and an adjacent skills lab. The mannequins were few and old.” And, she added, “It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.” Because the faculty and staff in the School of Nursing supported and encouraged her every step of the way.
Jennifer graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s in nursing and joined the Army Nurse Corps. “Earning a BSN allowed me to become a U.S. Army officer.” She returned to Coppin in 2009 for the MSN/FNP program. By then, HFSON had relocated to the new Health and Human Services building, with an entire floor dedicated to nursing. “There were numerous high-fidelity mannequins. One even gave birth. I was so impressed with the simulation center, that as a graduate student I was able to secure a job as a graduate assistant in the lab.” Upon completion, Jennifer’s MSN/FNP degree/certification afforded her the opportunity to be promoted to the rank of Commander (0-5) in the U.S. Public Health Services, and subsequently landed a position with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the world’s largest research facility, the National Institutes of Health.
In the summer of 2015, CHP HFSON launched its Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) program, the University’s only doctorate program. Jennifer became a member of its first cohort. Because the format of the program was on the weekends and hybrid, it allowed her to study and to continue working a fulltime job. “I knew the program was going to be rigorous, but I also knew that the resources would be in place to ensure my success.” Admittedly, she added two more incentives, “I also love the DNP’s chairperson, Dr. Joan Tilghman. And there was a Maryland Higher Education scholarship for nurse faculty.”
“Coppin is near and dear to my heart. It transformed my life. I have so much respect for the CHP leadership, women who are confident and intelligent, who give back to grow individuals like me.” Jennifer also gives back to her alma mater. She is a Masters/Family Nurse Practitioner faculty member. “I wanted to help change the lives of persons who came from backgrounds like mine,” she said.
Rashad holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Cheyney University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Bowie State University. Rashad is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He has over eighteen years of accounting, internal controls, risk management, IT Audit, IT Security, and tax preparation and compliance. He is a licensed MD Tax Professional, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting & Management.
Rashad enjoys serving the community and creating opportunities through philanthropic efforts. He serves as the Project Manager for the Rho Tau Lambda Foundation, Inc., Project Alpha Achievers School Program. The Out of School Time (OST) Program educates elementary and middle school male students on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) careers, entrepreneurship, civics, and the importance on good decision making. Rashad regularly speaks to High School and College students sharing his knowledge with students of all ages. He leads the Black Professional Men, Inc., Rays of Hope Scholarship (ROHAS) Program preparing high school students for life after high school through College Preparation sessions and assists high school students with exposure on potential professional career opportunities.
